[Randy Barnett on PRISM][1]:

> The secrecy of these programs makes it impossible to hold elected officials and appointed bureaucrats accountable. Relying solely on internal governmental checks violates the fundamental constitutional principle that the sovereign people must be the ultimate external judge of their servants’ conduct in office. Yet such judgment and control is impossible without the information that such secret programs conceal. Had it not been for recent leaks, the American public would have no idea of the existence of these programs, and we still cannot be certain of their scope.

Great article, and worth your time if you don’t get why “people like me” are so worked up about the NSA spying.

[1]: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323823004578593591276402574.html?mod=rss_opinion_main